Container sealing machine having seaming mechanism actuated by fluid pressure operated means responsive to vacuum



Sept. 28, 1948.

. commmm SEALING momma mwme smmme Filed' Sept. 19, 1942 A. L. KRONQUEST ET AL MECHANISM ACTUATED BY FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED MEANS RESPONSIVE T0 VACU 15 Sheets-Sheet 1' mu. PMS-w Q Sept 28, 1948 A. L. KRONQUEST az'rm. 2,450,243

CONTAINER SEALING IACHINE HAVING SEAMING MECHANISM ACTUATED BY FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED MEANS RESPONSIVE TO VACUUM Filed Sept. 19, 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 28, 1948. A. 1.. KRONQUEST ETA G MACHINE HAVING SEAMING CONTAINER SEALIN MECHANISM ACTUATED BY FLUID PRESSURE ormumn mans nmsronsxvr: TO vAcuuu Filed Sept. 19, 1942 .13 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 19, 1942 A. L. KRONQUEST ET AL CONTAINER SEALING MACHINE HAVING SEAMING MECHANISM ACTUATED BY FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED MEANS RESPONSIVE 'I'O VACUUM J70 y 4g &

gvwcmkocs .L K W mm $W pt. 28. 9 A. L. KRONQUEST ETAL 2,450,243

CONTAINER SEALING MACHINE HAVING SEAMING IECHANISM ACTUATED BY FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED MEANS RESPONSIVE T0 VACUUM Filed Sept; 19, 1.942 1:5 Sheet-Sheet e p 28. 1948. A. KRONQUEST ETAL 2,450,243

CONTAINER SEALING MACHINE HAVING SEAMING MECHANISM ACTUATED BY FLUID PRESSURE I OPERATED MEANS RESPONSIVE To. VACUUM Filed Sapt.-19, 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet 7 A. L. KRONQQUEST ET AL CONTAINER SEALING MAG Sept. 28, 1948.

arms mvme SEAIIING uncmxmsu 'MJTUATED BY FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED mums assronsxvn T0 VACUUM 13 Sheets-Swot Filed Sept. .19. 1942 Sept. 28, 1948. A. 1'. KRON EST EI'AL 2,450,243

CONTAIN SEALING "A INE HAVING SEAIIHG norm :1 AC mm) FLUI massuma OPERATED IE RES E VACUUI Filed Sept. 19, 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 x I gk p 8. 1943- A. L. KRoNQuEs'r arm. 2,450,243 v CONTAINER SEALING MACHINE HAVING SEAMING MECHANISM AGTUATED BY FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED MEANS RESPONSIVE TO VACUUM Filed Sept. 19, 1942 l3 SheetsSheet 10 Sept. 28, 1948, A. L. KRONQUEST ETAL CONTAINER SEALING MACHINE HAVING SEAMING MECHANISM ACTUATED BY FLUID PRESSURE OPERATEDIEANS RESPONSIVE T0 VACUUM Filed Sept. 19, 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet 11 p 8. 1948. A. L. KRONQUEST ETAL ,45

CONTAINER SEALING MACHINE HAVING SEAMING MECHANISM ACTUATED BY FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED MEANS RESPONSIVE TO- VACUUM Filed Sept. 19, 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 Sept. 28, 1948. A. L. KRONQUEST EI'AL ,2

CONTAINER SEALING MACHINE HAVING SEAIING IECHQNISH ACTUATED BY FLUID'PRESSURE OPERATED IEANS RESPONSIVE 1'0 VACUUM Filed Sept. 19', 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet 15 Patented Sept. 1948 CONTAINER SEALING MACHINE HAVING SEAMING MECHANISM ACTUATED BY FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED MEANS RE- SPONSIVE TO VACUUM Ali'red L. Kronquest and Matthew M. Sedwick, Syracuse, N. Y., assignors to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 19, 1942, Serial No. 458,990

13 Claims. (Cl. 22 6-82.4)

. 1 This invention relates to container sealing machines and more particularly to mechanism for seaming containers or cans of square or rectangular cross section and to control mechanism for inter-relating and timing the operation of the seaming mechanism and parts for positioning and otherwise preparing a. container for being seamed. The invention may be embodied especially in machines in which a pad or supporting element is arranged to move a container and container end relatively toward a chuck and alter chucking to bring seaming rolls into operation. The container may be va-cuumized before the seaming operation is performed, and the cans may be held stationary during the seaming operation.

An object of the invention is to provide a. machine of the character stated with novel and improved operating mechanisms and interlocking controls for insuring that the proper steps for conditioning the container and its contents for sealing will be performed before the container is v seamed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved fluid pressure operated mechanism for moving a container first into vacuumizing position and then to chucked position in readiness for being seamed.

Another object of the invention is to provide fluid pressure operated mechanism for first moving a container and a container end relatively toward but not all the way to chucked position,,

and other fluid pressure operated mechanism responsive to vacuumizing of the container for then automatically continuing the relative movement to place the container and container end in chucked position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container sealing machine in which vacuumizing of a sealing chamber is efiected automatically in response to closing of a door on the sealing chamber.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container sealing machine in'which a fluid pressure motor for moving a container and container end toward chucking position is operable under the control of a solenoid in turn controlled by or being responsive to closing of the sealing chamber door.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the class referred to in which mechanism for moving a containerand container end to chucking position is controlled automatically by a device responsive to fluid pressure in the sealing chamber.

Another object of the invention is to provide inders;

a machine of the character stated in which two fluid pressure motors are provided for moving a container toward and then all the way to chucking position, one of the motors being operable only after the container and end have been moved toward but then stopped short of chucking seaming rolls normally held out of seaming posi-' tion by springs which are yieldable to permit movement of the seaming rolls into seaming position after a container and end have been chucked.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated including a continuously rotatable seaming head, seaming rolls carried thereon, and differential gearin controllable in a novel manner for moving the seaming rolls into seaming position.

Another object of the invention is to provide is brought about by engagement of a driving clutch, the engaging of which is effected by operation of a pilot clutch device adapted when engaged to operate for a predetermined period and then stop.

Another object of the invention is to provide a. simple-and effective means for centering or aligning a container with a chuck.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and effective spring urged knock out device for ejecting or forcibly removing seamed con-'v tainers from a chuck. 3

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the general interrelation of vacuum or fluid pressure and electrical control means with other parts including a sealing chamber, and lifting and chucking cyl- Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of a container sealing machine embodying the invention in one representative structural form;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the machine shown in Figure 1 with a cover removed and with Figure 4 is a front elevational view of a machine embodying the invention;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical section on an enlarged scale showing mechanism for driving a seaming head and for moving seaming rolls into seaming position, and a clutch for controlling the moving of the seaming rolls to seaming position;

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of a seaming head and seaming roll mounting levers and arms carried thereby;

Figure '7 is a top plan view of a seaming head and showing means for normally holdingseaming rolls in retracted or non-seaming positions;

Figure 8 is a section on the line 88 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a vertical section, drawn on an enlarged scale, and showing means for mounting a seaming roll for movement into and out of seaming position; a

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a valve for controlling the vacuumizing of a sealing chamber, and a solenoid operated mechanism for controlling the operation of the valve;

Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a solenoid operated valve for controlling the operation of a fluid pressure piston and cylinder motor for raising and lowering a can supporting P.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing a door-operated switch;

Figure 13 is a section on the line |3-l3 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a vertical sectional view of a fluid pressure operated chucking motor and solenoidoperated valve for controlling the operation of the motor;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary elevational view of a solenoid-controlled one-revolution pilot clutch and mechanism actuated by th pilot clutch for causing seaming rolls to be moved into seaming position;

Figure 16 is a top plan view of the mechanism shown in Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a fragmentary horizontal section first be described with reference to the diagrammatic showing in Figure 1, it being thought that with the general inter-relation of the parts and sequence of operations once well in mind the detailed description of an illustrative structural embodiment will be more easily followed.

Parts referred to in the description of Figure l but not shown therein are illustrated in other figures to be described in detail later,

, Referring to Figure 1, a sealing chamber or bell indicated at A encloses seaming mechanism including a chuck for holding a can end in position on top of a can body to be seamed thereto. Mounted to reciprocate in the cylinder B of a fluid pressure operable motor is a piston connected to and adapted to move a can pad or support mounted in the chamber A to' position a supported can body in vacuumizing position with its top spaced a predetermined distance below the chuck. A piston reciprocable in the cylinder C of another fluid pressure operable motor is 4 Chucking of the can automatically effects enga ing of a clutch which brings the seaming mechanism into operation for a predetermined period, the clutch being then automatically disengaged and the parts returned to their starting positions.

As indicated in Figure l a vacuum pump D communicates through aconduit l with-a valve 2 in turn communicating with the chamber A by means of a conduit 3. The valve 2 is pro vided at 4 with an outlet to the atmosphere. Actuation of the valveis controlled by a solenoid 5 operatively connected to the valve at 6 and being connected across an electric power supply line I by means of conductors 8 and 9, the latter having interposed in it a switch Ill. The switch I0 is normally open and is adapted to be closed only momentarily when the sealing chamber door is closed. Momentary energizing of the solenoid 5 operates the member 6 to permit the valve 2 to be operated to place the conduit 1 in communication with the sealing chamber A. Although the switch I0 is closed only momentarily in response to movement of the door to closed position, the valve 2 will remain in its operated position until it is reset by rotation of a resetting arm ll engageable with a follower l2 projecting from the valve 2. Arm II is normally at rest but is brought into operation when a can is brought into chucked position and is timed so as to reset the valve and place chamber A in' communication with the outlet 4 to the atmosphere as soon as seaming operation has been performed.

To enable operation of the piston within the lifting cylinder B a conduit 13 provides communication between the vacuum pump D and a valve l4 having an atmospheric outlet l5 and being arranged to communicate through conduits Hi and I1 respectively with opposite ends of 'the cylinder B. Before the can pad is lifted the conduit i3 is in communication with the conduit H, the conduit I6 is connected to the outlet 15, and the piston in the cylinder B and the can are in retracted positions. Closing of the sealing chamber door automatically closes a switch I! to complete a circuit through conductors l9 and 20 and a solenoid 2i, resultant operation of which actuates the valve l4 through a connecting member 22 to place the vacuum conduit iii in communication with the conduit IG and, simultaneously, to place the atmospheric connection l5 in communication with the conduit I1. The piston in V the cylinder B will then move the can to vacuumizing position, it being understood however that this operation does not move the can to completely chucked position.

The cylinder C, within which is mounted the piston which effects movement of the can to chucked position, communicates at its opposite ends respectively with conduits 23 and 24 which lead to a valve 25 open to the atmosphere at 28 and leading through a conduit 21 to the vacuum pump D. Normally the valve 25 provides communication between the conduits 21 and 23 and between the conduit 24 -and the atmospheric connection '26. A solenoid 28 connected to the valve 25 by an operating member 29 is connected across the line I by a conductor 30 and a conductor 3| interposed in which is a normally open switch 32. The switch 32 is adapted to be closed by contraction of a Sylphon bellows 33 which is in constant communication through a conduit 34 with the sealing chamber A. The arrangement is such that when the desired predetermined degree of vacuum has been produced in the chamber A the bellows 33 closes the switch 32 thereby energizing the solenoid 28 and oper-- ating the valve 25 to place the vacuum line 21 in communication with the conduit 24, causingthe piston in the cylinder C to move the can to chucked position in readiness for being sealed.

Movement of the can to completely chucked position automatically brings about operation of seaming mechanism to be described hereinafter. Generally stated, the seaming mechanism may be similar to that shown in the patent to Kronquest 2,271,152, granted January 27, 1942. Operation of the seaming mechanism is initiated by rocking of a clutch release shaft indicated at 35 in Figure 1 under the action of a solenoid 35 having an operating member 31 connected to the shaft 35 by an arm 38 fast with the shaft. The solenoid 38 is connected across the line 1 by conductors 39 and 40, the latter having interposed therein a normally closed switch 41 and a normally open switch 42.

When the piston in the cylinder C moves the can to chucked position it operates alever 43 which then engages and closes the switch 42,

thereby energizing the solenoid 36 to effect rocking of the shaft 35 to in turn effect engagement of a one-revolution pilot clutch and operation of the seaming mechanism control-led thereby. As

.engage the follower I2 and operate the valve 2 to place the chamber A in communication with the atmosphere at 4, thereby relieving the vacuum in the chamber A and permitting the Sylphon bellows 33 to expand and open the switch 32. This will de-energize the solenoid 28 and operate the valve 25 to place the conduit 24 in communication with the atmosphere at 26, thereby retracting thepiston in the cylinder C to unchuck the can, and to rock the lever 43 and open the switch 42. Thiswill take place before the pilot clutch has completed its one-revolution driving. Thus, when the one-revolution clutch has completed a single revolution the switch 42 will be open, the solenoid 36 will be de-energized, and the clutch will become disengaged and cannot be re-engaged until a newand complete cycle is performed.

When the sealing chamber door is opened, the switch [8 will open, whereby the solenoid 2| will be deenergized, the valv 14 will place the conduit IS in communication with the atmosphere, and the pad and can thereon will be moved away from the chuck.

The illustrative structural embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 2 to 18 comprises a combined casing and frame Ewhich supports the bell or sealing chamber A, the pad lifting cylinder B, the chucking cylinder C, and seaming mechanism generally designated F driven by a motor G.

The sealing chamber A is formed with an access opening adapted to be closed by a door 45 provided with a gasket 46 engageable with the marginal walls of the opening for maintaining a vacuum seal when the door is closed. The bottom wall 41 of the chamber A is apertured to receive a bearing 48 for reciprocally mounting can positioning means comprising a lifting rod member 49, The rod 49 i bored inwardly from its upper end to receive a stem 50 having threaded engagement with the rod 49 to permit vertical adjustment of the stem 50 with respect to the rod. A lock nut ii is provided for holding the stem 50 in vertically adjusted position. A can support or pad element 52 is keyed as at 53 to the upper end of the stem 50. The rod 49 has a flat side 49" in sliding engagement with a block 54 for preventing rotation of the rod 49 and pad element 52.

The rod 49 extends downwardly beyond the bearing 48, into the lifting cylinder B, and thence freely through a sleeve 56 fast with and extending downwardly from a piston 51 mounted to reciprocate in the cylinder B. The lower end of the rod 49 is threaded to receive a nut 59 which abuts against the bottom of a strap 56* secured to the lower end of the sleeve 56. A spring 59 is interposed between the top of the piston 51 and a flange 60 on the rod 49. It will be apparent that when the piston 51 is raised, the spring 59 will transmit lifting force to the flange 60 and hence to the rod 49 for lifting the pad 52. Air tight packing 61 is interposed between the piston 51 and the rod 49.

The seaming mechanism F includes a chuck element 62 disposed centrally over the rod 49 and seaming rolls 63 (see Figures 6 and 9), The chuck is non-rotatable and serves to hold a can and can end against rotation when the can end is pressed up against the bottom of the chuck. Means are provided for centering and lining up the can with respect to the chuck. To this end the bell A and door 45 are provided with means for embracing a can carried by the pad 52. As shown in Figures 2, 17 and 18, can holders 64 and 65 are carried respectively by the bell A and the door 45 adjacent the bottom of the bell. The holder 64 is generally of a U shape and includes a flange 66 secured by screws 61 to the rear wall of the bell. Preferably the bell is provided with a vertically extending series of attaching stations comprising tapped holes 68, selected ones of which may receive the screws 61 for adjusting the height of the holder 64 in accordance with the size of the can to be sealed. The holder 64 includes a rear part 69 and legs or sides 10 and 11, th latter of which is bifurcated horizontally as shown in Figure 18.

The complementary door-mounted holder 55 includes a flange 12 adapted to be secured byscrews 13 engageable selectively in vertically spaced attaching station tapped holes 14. The

holder 65 includes a single side leg 15 which is body and a can end positioned in readiness for chucking and then sealing.

In operation, when a. can body and superposed can end are placed on the pad 52 and the door 45 is closed, the holders 64, 65, 64 and 65 will center or align the can body and can end with respect to the pad 52 and chuck 82.

As previously explained, closing of the door 45 momentarily closes the switch 10, thereby operating the solenoid 5 and the valve 2 so as to vacuumize the sealing chamber A. As shown in Figure 10 the valve 2 comprises a body 16 and a reciprocable D valve element 11 urged by a spring 18 to a position providing communication between the conduit I leading to the vacuum pump and the conduit 3 leading to the sealing chamber. A pad 18 on thevalve element 11 is engageable with a stop 88 on the valve body 16 for limiting the throw of the valve element 11 under urge of the spring 18. A screw 8I is provided fo adjusting the loading of the spring 18.

A latch 82 pivoted as at 83 on the valve body 18 normally engages the pad 18.for maintaining the valve element 11 in the non-vacuumizing position shown in Figure 10 wherein the sealing chambercommunicates through the conduit 8 with the atmospheric outlet 4. For permitting the spring 18 to move the valve to vacuumizlng position, the plunger 84 of the solenoid is connected through the link member 8 to the latch 82. Thus when the solenoid 5 is energized momentarily, the latch 82 is lifted and the spring 18 will move the valve element 11 to place the sealing chamber in communication with the vacuum pump through the conduits 3 and I. The valve element 11 will remain in this position until it is reset by actuation, of the arm II previously referred 'to.

As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the switch I8, which is operable in response to closing of the door 45, includes an operating button 85 positioned to be moved by a lever 88 pivoted as at 81 on the bell casing A. The lever 86 is formed with a nose 88 adapted to be engaged by a pawl 88 pivoted as at 88 on the door 45. When the door is moved to closed position, the pawl 88, being held against clockwise movement as viewed in Figure 12 by contact with a stop pad 9I on the door, engages the nose 88 of the lever 88 and cams it to rock the lever 88 and push inwardly on the switch button 85. When the door moves to its completely closed position, the pawl 89 will proceed beyond the nose 88, of the lever 88, permitting the switch button 85 to return the lever 86 to its initial position. Thus the circuit through the solenoid 5 will be closed only momentarily while the pawl 88 is riding over the nose 88 during closing of the door.

When the door is opened the pawl 88 will engage the nose 88 and will rock freely in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 12 so as to ride over the nose 88 without rocking the lever 88 and without closing the switch I8. Therefore, the solenoid 5 will not be energized when the arm II resets the valve element 11, and the latch 82 will be free to re-engage the pad 19 and hold the valve element 11 in its Figure position until the door 45 again is moved from its open to its closed position to start a new cycle.

Closing of the sealing chamber door 45 closes the switch I8 .and holds it closed to energize the solenoid M and operate the valve I4. As shown in Figure 11, the valve I4 includes a body 82 and movable D valve element 83 cooperable with the conduit I3 and with ports 84 and 85 communicating with conduits I8 and I1 respectively. The valve element 83 is hollow to enable the ports 84 and 85 to be placed in communication with the atmospheric outlet I5. The solenoid 2I has a plunger 88 connected to the valve element 83 by the link member 22.

In operation, when the valve'chamber door 45 is closed, resultant closing of the switch I8 will energize the solenoid 2I so as to move the D valve element 83 to a positionproviding com-' munication between the conduits I 3'and I8 and between the conduit I1 and the atmospheric outlet I5. Thus the top of the lifting cylinder B (above the piston 81) will be connected to the vacuum pump whereby the piston 51 will be raised and the rod 48 and pad 52 will be lifted.

When the piston 51 has been raised and prior to the operating of the chucking cylinder C, the can and can end supported on the pad 52 will be spaced a predetermined short distance below the chuck 82. Thus the can end will not be pressed against the can and the interior of the can can be vacuumized effectively.

After a predetermined degree of vacuum has been established within the sealing chamber A, the piston reciprocable in the cylinder C operates to lift the rod 48, pad 52 and supported can and can end further and into chucked position. As shown in Figure 14 a piston 81 mounted to reciprocate in the cylinder C is equipped with a rod 88 extending through a packing gland 88. To the outer end of the rod is pivoted as at I88 the end of a link IN, the other end of which is pivoted at I82 to one end of the lever 43 previously referred to and which is pivoted on the frame 151 as at I83. To the other end of the lever 43 is pivoted as at I84 to one end of a link I85, the other endof which is pivoted as at I88 to a cam lever I81 fulcrumed on the underside of lifting cylinder B as at I88. The lever I81 is formed with a cam slot having an upper stop surface I88 and a lower driving surface including a gradual rise portion II8, a, steep rise portion III, and a dwell portion H2. The cam slot receives a follower roller II3 carried at the lower end of the lifting rod 48. In the form shown, the roller is journaled on the strap 56 secured to the lower end of the sleeve 56.

Prior to establishing the desired degree of vacuum in the chamber A, the piston 81 and parts operated thereby will be in the position shown in Figures 2 and 14. The roller I I3, having previously been raised when the piston 51 was raised, will be in engagement with the top or stop surface I89 of the cam groove. When the valve 25 is operated to place the conduit 24 in communication with the vacuum pump, the piston 81 will be moved to the left as viewed in Figure 14 thereby rocking the lever 43 clockwise as viewed in Figure 2 to pull the link I85 and rock the cam lever I81 counterclockwise. During the first part of the cam lever rocking, the roller II3 will be disposed above and out of contact with the bottom of the cam groove, engaging instead the top surface I88 of the groove. The cam top surface I88 is of such shape as to permit the roller I I3, rod 48, piston 51 and pad 52 to move further upwardly under the action of the vacuum in the upper end of the cylinder B, thereby raising the canand can end further toward chucking position. Just before the cam lever I81 completes its rocking movement, the steep rise portion III of the bottom of the cam groove will engage the roller H3 and cam it forcibly upwards so that the piston 81 will exert a further lifting force on the rod 48- to move the can and can end to completely chucked position.

When the seaming operation has been completed and the valve 25 has been operated to place the conduit 23 in communication with the vacuum pump, the piston 81 will move back to the position shown in Figure 14, thereby rocking the cam lever I81 clockwise as viewed in Figure. 2. The upper surface I88 of the cam lever groove will press downwardly on the roller II3 to forcibly lower the rod 48 and move the container supporting pad 52 downwardly.

Movement of the piston 81 is controlled by the valve operated by the solenoid 2a which is energized by closing the switch 32 in response to atelement 5. As shown in Figure 1 and as 'pre-.

viously explained, the switch 32 which controls the energizing of the cylinder 28 is normally open the Sylphon bellows element 33 connected through the tube 34 to the sealing chamber A.

As previously stated with referenceto Figure 1,

and is permitted to be closed by contraction of g rocking of the arm 43 for moving the can and can end to chucked position closes the switch 42 for initiating operation of the seaming mechanism F. Preferably the switch 42 is operated by an adjustable tappet H3 carried by the lever 43 as shown in Figure 2.

Referring more particularly to the construction of the seaming mechanism, a stationary web I20 fast with the frame E has an upstanding flange surmounted by a cap I2I secured to the flange by screws I22. A nut I23 having threaded engagement with a sleeve I24 bears against the top of the cap I 2| for drawing a shoulder I25 on the sleeve I24 up against the bottom of the cap An antifriction bearing I26 mounted on the sleeveI 24 journals a scathing head I21. An aligning sleeve I28, secured to the seaming head I21, surrounds a bearing I29 mounted on the sleeve I24, thereby cooperating with the antifriction bearing I26 for preventing the seaming head 'rrom being canted.

A ring gear I30 secured to the head I21 meshes with a gear or pinion I3I fast with a shaft I32 coupled as at I33 to the shaft I34'of the electric motor G. Thus the seaming head I21 is continuously driven when the motor G is in operation.

The seaming head I21 is formed with four equidistantly spaced bearing sleeves I35 having bearing liners I36 secured respectively therein. Mounted to turn in each bearing liner I36 is a hub sleeve I31 provided with end flanges I38 and I 39 cooperable with the ends of the associated liner I36 for preventing axial displacement of the sleeve I31. Levers I40 integral with the respective hubv sleeves I31 are provided at their free ends with pins I4I on which rollers I42 are iournaled. The rollers I42 are arranged to run in a slot or groove I43 formed in a cam member I43 carried at the lower end of the sleeve I24.

When the seaming head is rotated the cam I43 displaces the rollers I42 radially so as to rock the levers I40, causing the free ends of the levers to trace a path similar to but outside the margin of the can to be seamed. The seaming rolls 63 are journaled as at 63"- on arms I44 pivoted as at I45 on the levers I 40, the arrangement being similar to that disclosed in the Kronquest Patent 2,271,152, previously referred to. Normally, springs I46 respectively connected between each arm I44 and its associated lever I40 hold the seaming rolls 62 out of seaming position. Normally inactive means for rocking the arms I44 on the lever I40 to seaming position includes for eacharm I44 9. spindle I48 rotatable within the sleeve hub I31 and carrying at its lower end a cam I49 secured to the spindle I48 by a cap I50. Each cam I49 is generally circular in contour except for a rise Iii cooperable with a follower nose I62 mounted on the end of the seaming roll arm I44 opposite the end thereof on which the seaming roll 63 is mounted.

In operation, and prior to the conditioning of the apparatus for performance of the seamin operation, the seaming head I21 will rotate constantly so as to carry the levers I40 and arms I44 orbitally about the chuck 62. The cam groov I43 will move the rollers I42 so as to rock the levers I40 and arms I44 about the axes of the sleeves I35 to cause the seaming rolls 63 to move around the outside of but slightly spaced from the chuck 62. At this time the follower noses I52 on the arms I44 will be in contact with the circular portions of the cams I49. When the container to be sealed has been vacuumized and'chucked, the cams I49 will be rotated about their own axes to bring the rise portions I6I into engagement with the follower noses I62, thereby rocking the arms I44 about their respective pivots I45 and moving the seaming rolls 63 into seaming position. The cams I49 may be so formed and positioned relatively to each other as to move two of the seaming rolls into seaming position first so as to perform "first operation seaming and so as then to move the other two seaming rolls into engagement with the cam to perform the second operation seaming.

can be moved relatively to thehead I 21. The gear I51 is carried on a larger gear I58.having a hub I59 Journaled on a bearing I60 mounted on the alignin sleeve I28. It is desirable that the cams I49 normally be maintained with certainty in such positions that the rise portions I5I thereon will be displaced from and out of contact with the follower noses I52. For-accomplishin this purpose springs I6I are interposed between pins I62"carried eccentrically on the respective gears I56 and anchoring pins I63 carried by the gear I30. When the gear I51 is free to turn, the springs I6I will contract so as to move each pin I62 into a straight line passing through the associated pin I63 and" the axis of the associated spindle I48, The pins I62 are so located angularly with respect to the cams I49 that when the gears are positioned with the pins I62 aligned'with the pins I63 and the axes of the spindles I48, the rise portions I5I of the cams I49 will be out of contact with the follower noses I52.

When the container has been conditioned for seaming, it is necessary to rotate the gear I 51 relatively to the seaming head I21 so as to rotate the gears I56 and the cams I49 about their own axes and thereby move the cam rise portions I5I into engagement with the follower noses I52. The gear I58 is in mesh with a gear I64 journaled by a bearing I65 so as to rotate freely about the shaft I32. Normally there is no driving connection between the shaft I32and the gear I64 and the gears I58 and I51 are free to rotate in unison with the head I21. v

A driving clutch interposed between the shaft I32 and the gear I64 comprises a clutch member iii I66 secured to the gear I66 to rotate therewith and having Jaw teeth I61. and a clutch member -I68 splined as at I18 to slide on but rotate with the shaft I82 and having jaw teeth I68. The clutch member I 68 is formed with a groove "I which receives a pin I12 carried-by a lever I18 fixed to a shaft I16 Journaled to rock in a fixed bearing I15. Rocking of the shaft I 16 will move the clutch member I 68 downwardly so as to effect engagement of the clutch teeth I69 with the teeth I61 on the clutch member I 66. Thereafter, the gear I 66 will be driven directly from the shaft I 82. Inasmuch as the gear ratio between the gears I8I and I 38 driving the head I21 is different from the gear ratio between the gears I66 and I58, the gear I51, carried by the gear I58. will be rotated relatively to the head I21 as soon as the clutch members I68 and I66 are engaged, thereby operating the cams I 9 to move the seaming rolls 68 to seaming position.

Mechanism for rocking the shaft I16 to bring about operation of the seaming mechanism is actuated in response to closing of the normally open switch 2 and cons entlv in res onse to movement of the can pad 52 to chucking position. The mechanism for rocking the shaft I16 includes I82 and meshing with a worm wheel I11 mounted to rotate freely on a shaft I18 journaled in a bracket I19. A predetermined period operation pilot clutchdevice includes a sleeve I88 secured to the shaft I18. The sleeve carries a pawl I8I urged by a spring I82 to move into the path of a lug I 88 fast with a hub I86 secured to the worm wheel I11. Normally the pawl I 8I is held out of the path of the lug I88 by a lever I88 fast with the clutch release shaft 85 previously referred to. the lever I85 being so mounted that in its normal position it bears-against a heel I8I on the pawl I8I so as to urge the nose of the pawl radially away from. the lug I88. When the shaft is rocked the lever I88 will swing so as to move out of engagement with the pawl heel I 81 thereby permitting the spring I82 to rock the pawl I8I and move its nose into the path of the lug I88. Thereupon the sleeve I88 and shaft I18 will be rotated in unison with the worm wheel I11.

Rotation of the sleeve I88 is utilized to rock the shaft I16 and effect engagement of the clutch elements I66 and I 68 in the manner previously explained. Held fast to the sleeve I88 by screws I86 is a disc I81 formed with a notch I88. A pawl I89 fixed to a shaft -I98 iournaled on the bracket I19 has its nose I9I normally received in the notch I88. Also fixed to the shaft I88 is a lever I92. A link I88 is pivoted as at I86 to the lever I92 and is pivoted as at I85 to the interrupter arm 66 previously referred to.

In operation; when the can and can end have been chucked the solenoid 86 will be energized by closing of the switch 62. Operation of the solenoid 86 will rock the arm 38 and the c utch release shaft 85 to thereby swing the lever I85 away from the pawl heel I8I. The pawl I8I will become engaged with the lug I83 so as to cause the sleeve I88 to be rotated. The disc I81 will rotate with the sleeve I88, causing the pawl nose I8I to be lifted out of the notch I88 onto the periphery of the disc I81. therebyrocking the shaft I98 and the lever I92 to lift the link I 98, permit the normally closed switch II to open, and also to rock theshaft I16 and lever I18, thereby moving the clutch member I 68 into engagement with the clutch member I66. The gears I58 and I51 will then be rotated differentially with respect to the 'a worm I16 rotatable in unison with the shaft seaming head I21 so as to operate gears I56 and the cams I69 for moving the seaming rolls 68 to seaming position. Opening of the switch H in response to operation of the one-revolution clutch will de-energize the solenoid 86 so as to permit the lever I88 to be moved back into the path of the pawl heel I8 I but this will not interrupt driving engagement of the pilot clutch until the pawl I8I.and sleeve I88 have made a complete revolution, whereupon the pawl heel I8I will become engaged with the lever I so as to move the nose of the pawl I8I out of engagement with the lug I88, whereupon the sleeve 88 will come to rest.

The resetting arm II previously referred to is fixed to the shaft I16 and is equipped with a roller I86 engageable with the follower I2 projecting from the valve 2 for shifting the valve element 11 to relieve the vacuum in the chamber A after the seaming operation has been performed. The operation is so timed that valve member 11 is reset to relieve the vacuum in the chamber A before the sleeve I88 and disc I81 have performed a complete revolution. Hence, before the pawl nose I9I re-enters the notch I88 in the disc I81, the Sylphon bellows 88 will expand and open the switch 82, thereby deenergizing the solenoid 28 and operating the valve 25 to move the piston 91 to the right, as viewed in Figure 14 and opening the switch 62. Thereafter, when the pawl nose I9I re-enters the notch I88, resultant closing of the switch U will not energize the solenoid 88, the circuit to which is broken by the open switch 62.

The pawl nose I'9I will re-en-ter the slot I88 just as the nose of the pawl I8I is moved out of engagement with the lug I88, the drive clutch elements I61 and I69 will be disengaged to stop the seaming operation, and the parts will be brought to rest in their starting positions in readiness for performance of a new cycle.

A fly wheel I91 secured to the top of the shaft I82 may be turned manually for moving the parts slowly for adjusting or timing purposes.

A knock out pad I98 for forcibly ejecting or removing sealed containers from the chuck 62 is carried on the lower end of a stem I99 mounted to slide vertically in the cam member I68a. Pins 288 fast with the pad I98 extend through openings in the chuck .62 for preventing the pad I98 from rotating. The upper end of the stem I99 is bored .to receive the reduced'lower end of'a vertically movable rod 28I mounted to slide within the sleeve I26.

The reduced upper end 282 of the rod 28I extends through a sleeve 288 threaded into the upper end of the sleeve I26. Nuts 286 threaded on the reduced upper end 282 of the rod 28I limit downward movement of the rod under the urge of a spring 288 interposed between the sleeve 288 and a shoulder 286 at the junction of the lower portionof the rod 28I and the reduced upper end portion 282 thereof.

In operation, when a can and end are chucked, the spring 285 will yield to permit the pad I98 to be raised by pressure exerted by the can end, the pad I98 then being received in a recess 281 in the bottom of the chuck 62. When the can supporting pad 52 is lowered the spring 285 will move the rod 28I, stem I99 and pad I98 downwardly so as to eject the container forcibly from the chuck 62. With this arrangement the spring urged pad I98 will respond immediately to lowering of the pad 52, no other timing or actuating mechanism being required for operating the knock-out pad.

Preferably a mechanism cover 2" is removably mounted on top of the frame E.

The frame E includes a seaming mechanism housing 209 provided with an opening facing towards the sealing chamber A. A plate 2 is arranged to close the opening but to be easily removable to afford access for servicingor adjusting the seaming mechanism. Normally the late 2 is held in place by the bell or chamber A, as shown in Figure 2, gaskets being interposed between the plate and the housing 209 and bell A respectively.

To facilitate removal of the plate 2| I, the bell A is mounted to move vertically on the frame E so that it may be lowered, thereby making it possible to slide the plate out horizontally. In the illustrative embodiment the mechanism for moving the bell vertically includes a screw 2|! secured to a lug 2 I 8 on the bell. The screw has threaded engagement with a captive nut I mounted to rotate in a frame carried bracket 2l5. The exterior oi the nut 2 is formed as a worm wheel engaging a worm 2 l6 carried by a shaft 2" rotatable in a frame mounted bearing 2H3. A hand wheel 2|9 is provided for rotating the shaft 211 and thus raising or lowering the bell A.

Features shown and described in the above specification but not claimed have been claimed in copending divisional applications filed October 4, 1946, Ser. No. 701,184, and October 9, 1946, Ser. No. 702,334, to which reference is made here.

The machine disclosed herein embodies the invention in the form now preferred but it will be understood that changes may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the claims.

We claim:

1. In a container sealing machine, a sealing chamber having an access opening; a door for said opening; seaming mechanism in said chamber including a chuck element and a container supporting element; means for drawing a vacuum in said chamber; means for moving one of said elements relatively toward the other of said elements to place a container carried on said supporting element in vacuumizing position close to but spaced from said chuck; means for stopping said one of said elements when said container has been placed in said vacuumizing position; and fluid pressure operated means actuated by a predetermined degree of vacuum in said chamber for moving one of said elements to place said container in chucked position.

2. In a container sealing machine, a sealing chamber having an access opening; a. door for said opening;-seaming mechanism in said chamber including a chuck element and a container supporting element; means for drawing a vacuum in said chamber; fluid pressure operated means for moving one of said elements relatively toward the other of said elements to place a container carried on said supporting element in vacuumizing position close to but spaced from said chuck; and other fluid pressure operated means actuated by a predetermined degree of vacuum in said chamber for moving one of said elements to place said container in chucked position.

3. In a container sealing machine, a sealingchamber having an access opening; a door for said opening; seaming mechanism in said chamber including a chuck element and a container supporting element; means for drawin a.vacuum in said chamber; means for moving one of said ments to place a container carried on said sun- 14' porting element in vacuumizing position close to but spaced from said chuck; fluid pressure operated means for moving one of said elements to place a container carried by said supporting element in chucked position; a normally closed valve for actuating said fluid pressure operated means: circuit means including a solenoid for opening said valve; circuit means including a switch in circuit with said solenoid; and a device responsive to attainment of a predetermined vacuum condition in said chamber for closing said switch.

4. In a container sealing machine, a sealing chamber having an access opening; a door for said opening; seaming mechanism in said chamber including a chuck element and a container supporting element; means for drawing a vacuumizing position close to but spaced from said chuck; other fluid pressure operated means acelements relatively toward the other of said eletuated by a predetermined degree of vacuum in said oh her; and means connecting said two fluid pressure operated means for supplementing the operative effort of said other fluid pressure operated means to the operative effort of said first-named fluid pressure operated means to move said one of said elements further and thereby to place said container in chucked position.

5. In a container seaming machine, seaming mechanism including a chuck element; a container supporting element; means for moving said supporting element to place a container carrled' thereon in chucked position; means controlling operation of the seaming mechanism; circuit means including a solenoid for actuating said control means to operate said seaming mechanism; and a switch in said circuitwithsaid solenoid and being operable in response to the movement of said supporting element which places said container in chucked position.

i 6. In a container seaming machine, seaming mechanism including a chuck element; a container supporting element; means for moving said supporting element to place a container carried thereon in chucked position; driving means;

'means including a normally disengaged predetermined period operation clutch for eflecting operation of said seaming mechanism by said driving means; circuit means including a solenoid operative to effect engagement of said clutch; a normally open switch; means connecting said switch in circuit with said solenoid, said switch being operable to closed position in response to movement of said supporting element and said container to chucking position; a normally closed switch; means connecting said normally closed switch in circuit with said solenoid; and .means for opening said normally closed switch in' response to engagement of said clutch.

7. In a container sealing machine, a sealing chamber having an access opening; a door for said opening; means for vacuumizing said chamher in response to closing of said door; seaming mechanism including a chuck element and a container supporting element in said chamber; means responsive to closing of said door for moving one of said elements toward the other of said elements but only part way to chucking position; and fluid pressure actuated mean responsive to vacuumizing of the chamber for efiecting movement of said one of said elements to chucking position. 

